Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which be-

gins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. The English

word “Lent” comes from the Anglo–Saxon word lencten, which

means “lengthen” and refers to the lengthening days of spring (in

the Northern hemisphere).

Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for

baptism by converts (a 3 year process of formation in faith), and

then developed also into a time for penance by all Christians.

Note that the readings during Lent, until Palm Sunday, focus pri-

marily on the meaning of baptism and discipleship, in keeping

with the season’s original purpose. The solemn reflective spirit of

Lent should be tempered with joyful expectation of the Resurrec-

tion each Sunday.

The three great days of the Passion - from sunset Holy Thursday

through sunset Easter Day – are the climax of our Lent journey,

and they proclaim the mystery of Christ’s passion, death, and res-

urrection. During these days, we journey with Jesus from the up-

per room, to the cross, to the tomb, and to the garden.

Lent is a time for us to review and renew our walk with Jesus.

Embrace the opportunity. Grapple with the drama of it all.

Above all, listen for his still small voice.

Pierre van Blommestein

THIS MONTH AT A GLANCE

4th Ladies Coffee Morning 10am

7th Men’s Breakfast 6:45am

8th Messy Church 3:30pm

8th Chaplains & RI Commissioning 6pm

11th & 25th KYB

18th Ladies Fellowship 9am

MARCH 2020

BRIBIE

UNITING

CHURCH

ARE YOU NEW HERE?

Whether you are just visiting today, or

looking for a church home, it is great

to have you with us. Please make sure

that you pick up one of our Visitor’s

Brochures from the Welcome Trolley.

We enjoy fellowship (and, of course,

something delicious to eat and drink!)

on the Terrace after worship. Please

join us there and meet some of the

warm loving people who are in this

church family.

Please just relax and receive the love,

peace and encouragement you need.

Sunday 1 March Wandering in the Wilderness? Lent Keywords: Renounce, Reject,

Repent. Lent Question: How do I face trial & suffering?

Sunday 8 March Have you said “Yes” to Jesus? Lent Keywords: Accept, Resist.

Lent Question: How do I handle change?

Sunday 15 March Are you cleansed and renewed? Lent Keywords: Confess, Trust,

Serve, Join. Lent Question: Am I embracing God’s grace? #1

Sunday 22 March Set free to become a new creation? Lent Keywords: Healed, Restored,

Forgiven. Lent Question: Am I embracing God’s grace? #2

Sunday 29 March Are you experiencing New Life? Lent Keywords: Breathe, Live,

Rejoice. Lent Question: Am I embracing new life in Christ?

The Men’s Breakfast continues to gain strength

each month through its fellowship and the

interesting speakers who are invited.

SATURDAY 7 MARCH 6:45am

Speaker: Len Watson

Men’s Breakfast Ladies Fellowship elects office-bearers!

The Bribie Uniting Ladies Fellowship has

provided fellowship and support to women for

many years, and the attendance remains strong

every month.

At the recent AGM the following office-bearers

were elected:

President - Neena Thompson

Vice-President - Gloria Finlay

Secretary - Eileen Osborne

Assistant Secretary - Barbara McClelland

Treasurer - June Daniell

Assistant Treasurer - Flo McKay

Next Meeting

WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH at 9am

Devotions: Flo McKay

Morning Tea: Lorraine Mair & Lyn Dippel

Programme: Grocery Grab

Ladies Coffee Morning The Ladies Coffee Morning is the informal

“freestyle” fellowship for women that meets

monthly on the 1st Wednesday of the month.

It has been a huge success for over 3 years now,

and the connectedness of the women, and the

laughter, is a blessing for all.

The group will meet on

WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH at 10am

Bribie Sports Club, Toorbul St

The Ecumenical Children’s Choir

practice every Monday at 3:30pm

Please pray for the children and their families.

Sometimes we are the only constant thing in the

lives of those who need our support.

Sunday 8 March

from 3:30 – 6pm

Messy Church is an all-

age alternate experience of

church, using games, craft

activities, worship, drama,

music, and group

experiences.

Please pray for this second congregation

of our church.

Messy Church Planning: Monday 23 Mar at 9am

If you have a need of prayer, or know of someone who does,

please be in touch with Moira Adams

on 0437 382 383.

MISSION CO-ORDINATOR: Lynne Pope

CHECK THE NOTICEBOARD FOR INFORMATION

Know Your Bible Regular, Structured Bible Knowledge

“Know Your Bible is a concise, easy-to-understand guide to God's Word,-giving you a helpful and memorable overview of all 66 books.”

Our Know Your Bible group will meet

on Wednesdays 11th and 25th March @ 2:30pm

We will be studying units 3 and 4 of

Genesis chapters 25 to 26

Supporting Mission Opportunities

Chaplains & RI Commissioning Once a year we have the wonderful privilege of

gathering together as churches to pray for our

Chaplains & RI Teachers.

Sunday 8 March 6pm

Baptist Church, Cotterill Ave

This is a witness of the Bribie Church Commu-

nity. Please join us!

Music by ENDLESS PRAISE

We are cordially invited by our friends at St.

Peter’s Anglican Church on Banya Street to join

them for an Ash Wednesday Service.

Wednesday 26 February at 10am

What is Ash Wednesday? Ash Wednesday is the official start of Lent and

focusses our hearts on repentance and prayer. It

gets its name from the placing of ashes on the

foreheads of participants.

It is a way of beginning a time of reflection and

prayer through Lent, and embracing a journey

towards Easter that you will find meaningful.

Please join us on Ash Wednesday

Lent Study on Romans 12 Week 1 Thursday 5 March 10am

A Living Sacrifice 12:1-2

Week 2 Wednesday 11 March 10am

All that I am 12:3-5

Week 3 Thursday 19 March 10am

Grace in being 12:6-8

Week 4 Thursday 26 March 10am

Love in Action 12:9-16

Week 5 Thursday 2 April 10am

Even when it hurts 12:17-21

Bribie Island Hospice Coach Trips

Sunday Themes and Participants

Dates Theme Readings Readers Prayers

1 Mar Wandering in the

Wilderness?

Romans 5:12-19

Matthew 4:1-11

Di Nguyen

Flo McKay

Prayers for Others

Moira Adams

8 Mar Have you said

“Yes” to Jesus?

Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

John 3:1-17

Priscilla Kling

Mary Hutchings

Praise/Confession

Lyn McMahon

15 Mar Are you cleansed

and renewed?

Romans 5:1-11

John 4:5-42

Joan Osborne

Lynne Mellers

Prayers for Others

Lyn Dippel

22 Mar Set free to become

a new creation?

Ephesians 5:8-14

John 9:1-21, 28-38

Maureen Peart

Greg Tenni

Praise/Confession

Neena Thompson

29 Mar Embracing new life

in Christ?

Romans 8: 6-11

John 11:1-45

Lyn Anderson

Dulcie Ash

Prayers conducted

by Bob Hutchings

Minister Pierre van Blommestein

Office: 3408 4151 Mobile: 0404 116 994

bribieislanduc@gmail.com

Day Off: Friday

Office-bearers 2020 Chairperson:

Vice-Chairperson:

Secretary:

Asst Secretary:

Presbytery Reps:

March

1 Joan BICK

1 Barbara EVANS

5 Diane HOWE

5 Paddy HYDE

7 Margaret MACDONALD

10 Iris COCHRAN

11 Maureen ALLELY

11 Margaret TRETHEWEY

12 Priscilla KLING

14 Trish BAKKER

14 Jim BARRAM

17 Moira ADAMS

17 Marie LOWE

29 Ron ROWSELL

31 Gloria FINLAY

Sunday 23 February Congregational AGM 9:30am

Monday 2 March

Pastoral Care 9am

Monday 23 March

Messy Church Planning 9am

Direct Deposit

This is a quick and easy way to give directly via your bank

account. Use BPay for scheduled regular contributions,

or set up a Direct Debit on your account.

Account Name: UCA Bribie Island Congregation

BSB: 014 010

Account #: 1915 19891

Description: My offering

Why we give to our Church

The Bible calls us to be grateful and generous people in our

response to an abundantly generous, gracious and loving God.

We see our giving as an act of worship and obedience,

believing that we, as followers of Jesus, are called to be

open-handed, generous people.

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart,

not reluctantly or under compulsion,

for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Uniting Church members support their local congregation

through generous and regular contributions.

The generosity of the financial support makes possible the

day-to-day ministries and activities at Bribie Island Uniting

Church that help bless our community.

The regularity of the giving allows the Church Council to plan

responsibly for the future and manage resources wisely.

Your generosity allows us to build the church, reach our com-

munity, and impact the lives of people for God.